Abbott: Houston has enough funding for Harvey recovery

If the state taps into the Rainy Day Fund to help with recovery following Hurricane Harvey, it won’t be until the next legislative session, Gov. Greg Abbott said during a news conference Tuesday.

Abbott’s announcement comes after Houston Mayor Sylvester Turnerwrote to the governor asking the state to use the $ 10 billionfund. Turner said without significant state help, Houston will be forced to raise property taxes for one year to bring in $ 50 million for recovery efforts.

Turner said he would not have proposed the tax hike had the governor called a special session to tap into the fund.

Abbott said he would pay anyinvoice the city submits to the state within 10 days.

Turner “has all the money that he needs,” Abbott said. “He just needs to tap into it.”

“In times like these, it’s important to have fiscal responsibility as opposed to financial panic,” Abbott said. He later added that “the mayor seems to be using [Harvey recovery] as hostage to raise taxes.”

Damages from Harvey have exceeded Houston’s $ 100 million flood insurance limit, according to Turner’s letter to Abbott, and now the city is going without flood insurance in the middle of hurricane season. Turner’s letter said financing from the Rainy Day Fund would have been able to cover the estimated $ 10 million cost of extending the city’s $ 100 million flood insurance policy until April 1, 2018.

Abbott also reaffirmed his support for Senate Bill 4, legislation aimed at outlawing “sanctuary cities,” during the news conference.

“During the initial phase, the focus was on saving lives,” Abbott said. “As we get back into the normal course of daily activities, it’s gonna be important for all people who live in this country to follow the law.”